A comparative study of the prosecution of childhood sexual abuse cases: The contributory role of pediatric Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) programs

Abstract

This study used a rigorous quasiexperimental design to compare prosecution outcomes for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) cases examined in a pediatric Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) program (the "intervention group") (n= 95) to a comparison sample of CSA cases examined by non-FNE medical professionals prior to the inception of the FNE program (the "comparison group") (n= 54). The types of cases in the intervention and comparison groups were different such that the FNE program had significantly more cases with younger victims where it was unknown or ambiguous whether they had penetration and/or fondling. Multivariate logit modeling was used to explore what factors predict legal case outcomes. Prosecution rates were significantly higher in the FNE group as opposed to the comparison group. In addition, cases with older victims who sustained penetration were the most likely to be prosecuted. Implications for forensic nursing practice are discussed.